Hundreds of gays wed in California

LOS ANGELES, June 17 (UPI) -- A California appellate judge Tuesday rejected a last-ditch effort to stop gay marriages, leaving the way clear for hundreds of same-sex couples to get hitched.

Without comment, the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco denied the Campaign for California Families' request for a stay until after a Nov. 4 vote on a measure to ban them and the state Legislature had an opportunity to review laws governing marriage and civil ceremonies, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday's first same-sex nuptials in the Golden State were, in general, low-key affairs carried out in civil ceremonies at various county clerks' offices.

"One of the things about the gay and lesbian community is we're known for our outrageousness, our flamboyance," said West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran, who also is president of the board of Equality California, an organization pushing for same-sex marriage. "But we're under this incredible political pressure not to have those portrayals."

Opponents of gay marriage predict the sight of same-sex couples saying "I do" will cause the general public to push back against the idea. However, proponents say people will actually become more accepting.

Among Tuesday's expected weddings was that of "Star Trek" star George Takai and his partner of 21 years in Los Angeles.

In Palm Springs, The New York Times reported, Mayor Steve Pougnet married the first gay couple in Riverside County to obtain a marriage license after the ruling, Dean Seymour, 44 and Philip Colavito, 43, of Palm Springs.

"We're as normal as everyone else and we deserve the right to marry Seymour said.